Part 21: For the Love of a Woman
#
Angel had not expected running into Riley Finn on his way back to the mansion. Truth to tell he would have preferred to have as little contact with the younger man as possible. Angel had not missed the looks Riley had given Buffy during their last meeting and Buffy had told him that Riley had something of a crush on her, though he had never acted on it since she had told him that she was not interested.
Part of Angel could not really blame Riley for what he felt. Buffy was an easy person to fall for and, as far as Angel was concerned, any male person on the face of this planet who was not in love with her had to be blind and deaf. Of course he might just be a bit biased in that area.
He also had to respect that Riley seemed to accept the fact that Buffy did not return his feelings and managed to be a friend and colleague to her regardless. Not too many people he knew were that mature. Certainly not a certain dark-haired boy he knew, who still had some troubles accepting the fact that Angel was part of Buffy's life again.
Still, he doubted he would ever be able to like Riley. Maybe it was a male thing and spoke ill about his own level of maturity, but liking a guy one knew was interested in one's girlfriend ... not likely.
"Hi! Angel, right?" Riley asked.
"Riley, hello."
For a long moment the two men just studied each other, the only sound coming from the occasional car that passed them by. Angel wanted nothing more than to just walk on. He knew Buffy would be waiting for him at the mansion, home from college and with several hours of spare time before she would head out to the next training session with SDO. Riley seemed to have something on his mind, though, and so Angel waited.
"Look," Riley finally said, "I just wanted to get something off my chest. From the looks of things the two of us will have to get along, especially with this King guy around."
"I guess so."
"So, I ... I guess it's rather old-fashioned and clichéd, but ... I like Buffy. I really do. She is my friend and I want her to be happy, so ..."
He hesitated and Angel clearly heard the words he did not say. The ones that said how he would rather have Buffy be happy with him.
"You make her happy," Riley continued, making a face as if he was chewing something really disgusting. "Only a blind man wouldn't see that. I also saw how miserable she was after you broke up with her, so ... I guess what I'm saying is ..."
"I hurt her again and you'll kick my ass?" Angel asked, amused.
Riley managed to maintain his serious look for about two seconds, then broke into a slight smile that made him seem about fifteen years old.
"Yeah, something like that. My point is ..."
"I get your point, Riley," Angel interrupted him. "And believe me, I have no intention of hurting Buffy ever again if I can help it. Our separation ... it was very complicated. I thought I was doing the right thing then. Maybe it even was, because being apart for those months showed both of us how much we need each other. I don't intend to ever let her go again."
He made a step toward Riley, closing the distance between them.
"I know that you have ... feelings for her as well, Riley. I can't say I'm a hundred percent comfortable with that, but I am glad that she has friends who are concerned about her welfare and, whether I like it or not, you seem to have become one of those friends."
He held out his hand.
"Friends?" Riley asked skeptically, looking at Angel's hand.
"I wouldn't go quite that far. How about ... let's agree to put Buffy's happiness first and go on from there?"
"I guess I can live with that," Riley said and shook Angel's hand.
#
Jackson King was not sure why, of all the people he had seen come and go from Buffy's house and dorm room these last few days, he had followed that man who liked to dress in black. Instinct, he guessed. He had only known that something was wrong, something that kept the Slayer from her rightful place at his side.
Now he knew.
He did not know how this bastard had done it, what kind of spell he had cast over the beautiful girl to make her his. It did not matter. Slayer and Huntsman were meant to be together and this man was standing between them. That was all he needed to know, all he cared about.
Jackson had never before in his life hated someone. He had been a mild- mannered boy, filled with a deep desire to do the right thing and keep the Earth safe from the forces of darkness. It was what the Council had taught him since earliest childhood and he had embraced it whole-heartedly. It was what had made the Council choose him as one of the candidates for the Huntsman and, of this he was certain, it was also what had made the Huntsman choose him as its host.
Now, though, a hatred and rage the likes of which he had never even imagined filled his body, caused his blood to boil in his veins. This man was stealing what should be his. The union of Slayer and Huntsman was necessary to keep the world safe and therefore this interloper was an agent of darkness, whether he knew it or not.
Jackson knew what he had to do. The right thing to do. The only thing to do.
#
Riley and Angel had about half a second of warning. A movement in the underbrush beside the road, a growl like an animal would utter it. Both of them were trained combatants and familiar with the dangers that could lurk in the shadows. It was broad daylight, though, and neither of them had expected an attack at this time. Especially not from something that was so much more than merely human.
Jackson King moved in a blur and was in striking distance before either of them could even blink. A thunderous roundhouse kick took both of them off their feet, sending them to the hard concrete of the sidewalk. Riley recognized King even as he went down, the pain from the blow almost causing him to black out.
King could probably have killed them both in those first few seconds, but instead he took a step back, a snarl on his youthful face.
"Get up, you bastard," he growled at Angel. "We haven't even started."
Riley and Angel both struggled back to their feet, sharing a brief glance. King was stronger than either of them, probably stronger than both of them put together, and much faster. The only chance they had was to team up. Riley had no idea what kind of fighting skills Angel possessed, but he figured that anyone who had been around a fighter like Buffy for years was bound to know some tricks.
They attacked together, trying to hit King from two sides at once, but the Huntsman was too quick for them. He moved in a blur and Riley did not even see the blow that floored him again. The crunch of a breaking rib echoed through his head and he hit the pavement hard, stars exploding in front of his eyes.
Angel did not fare much better. Riley did not know it, of course, but Angel was still trying to adjust to his reduced level of strength and speed. As it was his mind, still accustomed to the blinding quickness of the undead, was fully able to keep up with the rapid pace of King, but his body just did not respond with the same speed. His limbs seemed to move with infinite slowness and, though he did see the blows coming, he was unable to protect himself from them.
Riley flinched when he saw Angel take a swing, only to have his arm caught and quickly broken with a sickening crunch. The other man screamed with the pain, a scream that only grew louder when King drove his elbow down on the shattered limb once again. Riley struggled back up, but was too slow to prevent King from hitting Angel in the face, a punch that almost caved his head in, drawing blood from the shattered nose.
Though he was still dazed Riley attacked again, actually managing to land a blow this time. King was preoccupied with beating on Angel and had apparently forgotten him. A sharp hook to his gut caused the Huntsman to double over, Riley quickly capitalizing by bringing both his fists down on the younger man's neck. Angel reacted almost at the same time and, despite reeling in pain, drove his knee up hard into King's face just as the Huntsman was going down from Riley's blow.
Angel stumbled after this effort, almost blacking out, and Riley could only stare as King simply flipped back to his feet, shrugging off their blows as if it was nothing. Riley knew he had hit him hard enough to hospitalize a normal man, but this guy barely even slowed down.
He actually managed to block the first kick coming his way, but Riley found his legs swept out from under him a heartbeat later and the back of his head made painful contact with the ground once more. A grunt of pain was all he heard from Angel before King was upon him once again, a quick kick to the side of Riley's head that sent him tumbling across the street.
Riley tasted blood in his mouth and the world was quickly growing dark around him. The last thing he saw was Angel, miraculously still on his feet, taking blow after blow from the enraged Huntsman.
Then consciousness finally slipped away and a scream of pain from Angel accompanied him into darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED
#
Angel had not expected running into Riley Finn on his way back to the mansion. Truth to tell he would have preferred to have as little contact with the younger man as possible. Angel had not missed the looks Riley had given Buffy during their last meeting and Buffy had told him that Riley had something of a crush on her, though he had never acted on it since she had told him that she was not interested.
Part of Angel could not really blame Riley for what he felt. Buffy was an easy person to fall for and, as far as Angel was concerned, any male person on the face of this planet who was not in love with her had to be blind and deaf. Of course he might just be a bit biased in that area.
He also had to respect that Riley seemed to accept the fact that Buffy did not return his feelings and managed to be a friend and colleague to her regardless. Not too many people he knew were that mature. Certainly not a certain dark-haired boy he knew, who still had some troubles accepting the fact that Angel was part of Buffy's life again.
Still, he doubted he would ever be able to like Riley. Maybe it was a male thing and spoke ill about his own level of maturity, but liking a guy one knew was interested in one's girlfriend ... not likely.
"Hi! Angel, right?" Riley asked.
"Riley, hello."
For a long moment the two men just studied each other, the only sound coming from the occasional car that passed them by. Angel wanted nothing more than to just walk on. He knew Buffy would be waiting for him at the mansion, home from college and with several hours of spare time before she would head out to the next training session with SDO. Riley seemed to have something on his mind, though, and so Angel waited.
"Look," Riley finally said, "I just wanted to get something off my chest. From the looks of things the two of us will have to get along, especially with this King guy around."
"I guess so."
"So, I ... I guess it's rather old-fashioned and clichéd, but ... I like Buffy. I really do. She is my friend and I want her to be happy, so ..."
He hesitated and Angel clearly heard the words he did not say. The ones that said how he would rather have Buffy be happy with him.
"You make her happy," Riley continued, making a face as if he was chewing something really disgusting. "Only a blind man wouldn't see that. I also saw how miserable she was after you broke up with her, so ... I guess what I'm saying is ..."
"I hurt her again and you'll kick my ass?" Angel asked, amused.
Riley managed to maintain his serious look for about two seconds, then broke into a slight smile that made him seem about fifteen years old.
"Yeah, something like that. My point is ..."
"I get your point, Riley," Angel interrupted him. "And believe me, I have no intention of hurting Buffy ever again if I can help it. Our separation ... it was very complicated. I thought I was doing the right thing then. Maybe it even was, because being apart for those months showed both of us how much we need each other. I don't intend to ever let her go again."
He made a step toward Riley, closing the distance between them.
"I know that you have ... feelings for her as well, Riley. I can't say I'm a hundred percent comfortable with that, but I am glad that she has friends who are concerned about her welfare and, whether I like it or not, you seem to have become one of those friends."
He held out his hand.
"Friends?" Riley asked skeptically, looking at Angel's hand.
"I wouldn't go quite that far. How about ... let's agree to put Buffy's happiness first and go on from there?"
"I guess I can live with that," Riley said and shook Angel's hand.
#
Jackson King was not sure why, of all the people he had seen come and go from Buffy's house and dorm room these last few days, he had followed that man who liked to dress in black. Instinct, he guessed. He had only known that something was wrong, something that kept the Slayer from her rightful place at his side.
Now he knew.
He did not know how this bastard had done it, what kind of spell he had cast over the beautiful girl to make her his. It did not matter. Slayer and Huntsman were meant to be together and this man was standing between them. That was all he needed to know, all he cared about.
Jackson had never before in his life hated someone. He had been a mild- mannered boy, filled with a deep desire to do the right thing and keep the Earth safe from the forces of darkness. It was what the Council had taught him since earliest childhood and he had embraced it whole-heartedly. It was what had made the Council choose him as one of the candidates for the Huntsman and, of this he was certain, it was also what had made the Huntsman choose him as its host.
Now, though, a hatred and rage the likes of which he had never even imagined filled his body, caused his blood to boil in his veins. This man was stealing what should be his. The union of Slayer and Huntsman was necessary to keep the world safe and therefore this interloper was an agent of darkness, whether he knew it or not.
Jackson knew what he had to do. The right thing to do. The only thing to do.
#
Riley and Angel had about half a second of warning. A movement in the underbrush beside the road, a growl like an animal would utter it. Both of them were trained combatants and familiar with the dangers that could lurk in the shadows. It was broad daylight, though, and neither of them had expected an attack at this time. Especially not from something that was so much more than merely human.
Jackson King moved in a blur and was in striking distance before either of them could even blink. A thunderous roundhouse kick took both of them off their feet, sending them to the hard concrete of the sidewalk. Riley recognized King even as he went down, the pain from the blow almost causing him to black out.
King could probably have killed them both in those first few seconds, but instead he took a step back, a snarl on his youthful face.
"Get up, you bastard," he growled at Angel. "We haven't even started."
Riley and Angel both struggled back to their feet, sharing a brief glance. King was stronger than either of them, probably stronger than both of them put together, and much faster. The only chance they had was to team up. Riley had no idea what kind of fighting skills Angel possessed, but he figured that anyone who had been around a fighter like Buffy for years was bound to know some tricks.
They attacked together, trying to hit King from two sides at once, but the Huntsman was too quick for them. He moved in a blur and Riley did not even see the blow that floored him again. The crunch of a breaking rib echoed through his head and he hit the pavement hard, stars exploding in front of his eyes.
Angel did not fare much better. Riley did not know it, of course, but Angel was still trying to adjust to his reduced level of strength and speed. As it was his mind, still accustomed to the blinding quickness of the undead, was fully able to keep up with the rapid pace of King, but his body just did not respond with the same speed. His limbs seemed to move with infinite slowness and, though he did see the blows coming, he was unable to protect himself from them.
Riley flinched when he saw Angel take a swing, only to have his arm caught and quickly broken with a sickening crunch. The other man screamed with the pain, a scream that only grew louder when King drove his elbow down on the shattered limb once again. Riley struggled back up, but was too slow to prevent King from hitting Angel in the face, a punch that almost caved his head in, drawing blood from the shattered nose.
Though he was still dazed Riley attacked again, actually managing to land a blow this time. King was preoccupied with beating on Angel and had apparently forgotten him. A sharp hook to his gut caused the Huntsman to double over, Riley quickly capitalizing by bringing both his fists down on the younger man's neck. Angel reacted almost at the same time and, despite reeling in pain, drove his knee up hard into King's face just as the Huntsman was going down from Riley's blow.
Angel stumbled after this effort, almost blacking out, and Riley could only stare as King simply flipped back to his feet, shrugging off their blows as if it was nothing. Riley knew he had hit him hard enough to hospitalize a normal man, but this guy barely even slowed down.
He actually managed to block the first kick coming his way, but Riley found his legs swept out from under him a heartbeat later and the back of his head made painful contact with the ground once more. A grunt of pain was all he heard from Angel before King was upon him once again, a quick kick to the side of Riley's head that sent him tumbling across the street.
Riley tasted blood in his mouth and the world was quickly growing dark around him. The last thing he saw was Angel, miraculously still on his feet, taking blow after blow from the enraged Huntsman.
Then consciousness finally slipped away and a scream of pain from Angel accompanied him into darkness.
TO BE CONTINUED